Fundraiser for Ophir gives kids a reason to love reading

OROVILLE — A morning event at Ophir School on Friday evoked memories of favorite bedtime stories and an urge to curl up with a good book.

Maybe it was the warm pajamas students wore that tickled their fancy. Or the stuffed animals and fuzzy blankets they spread out on a classroom floor and shared with friends while their teacher read aloud.

Or perhaps it was the way some guest readers brought characters and words to life through animated gestures, expressions and voices.

And that was the point, a teacher said — getting children to like reading.

The PJs, blankets, books and readers were all part of the annual Read-a-thon fundraiser held at Ophir to raise money for each class, as well as to encourage children to read.

Each year, guest readers from the community and parents visit the school and read two or three books for the children until lunch time.

Third-grade teacher Forough Molina's class settled in after morning recess, lying on the floor under bright blankets, some snuggled with pals, and some holding stuffed toys as the teacher read.

Molina read a section of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and appeared to captivate most of the children with changing facial expressions, vocal accents and wide gestures.

Shortly after 10, Butte County Superintendent of Schools Tim Taylor entered the room and immediately raised laughter from the children when he said he was bummed because he didn't bring pajamas.

As he began reading, Molina talked about the program in a room next door.

"The Read-a-thon is to get the kids stimulated and interested in reading," she said.

The bonus is that it also raises money for classroom activities.

Children obtain pledges, which helps provide funds to kids for reading and field trips.

Although her students were all dressed in pajamas, Molina said not all the classes did.

The idea behind the nightwear and blankets was so the children could get cozy.

"It's natural to pick up a book when they're in their jammies at home," Molina said.

The Read-a-thon is apparently a popular event at the school.

"We talk about it all year," she said. "We try to make it fun for them, instead of a chore."

For the first hour, Molina's students split up in pairs and read books or other reading material they brought from home.

After about 10 minutes, the kids switched partners to introduce new types of written material.

"They've been so excited," she continued. "They've been waiting to share. This is one day where we can just read."

The event does produce results. Molina said children remember books they were introduced to at the Read-a-thon and want to read those for themselves.

She also said it's nice that people from the community join in.

"I don't think they know how important they are," she said. "It makes a huge difference."

Over in room 2, where Karen Peery teaches kindergarten, the children sat in several groups on the floor, read to by parent volunteers. About eight parents had read by 10:30.

Peery said the Read-a-thon is Ophir's primary fundraising event. "Whatever my kids raise, we get the money this year for field trips, for the goodie box for Friday testing, and maybe an end-of-the-year pizza party," she said.

The money also provides for some supplies.

Most of the pledges the kindergartners got were for a flat rate, and the children invited their parents to read to the class.

"It's a day of listening," Peery said. "They get the fun of wearing pajamas and get to see the importance of reading."

The guest reader in Peery's room was James Kinnamonc, of the Kent Family Circus.

Sitting in a big rocking chair, Kinnamonc first wowed the youngsters by balancing a book on his chin.

As he read, the children roared with belly laughs and fits of giggles. Kinnamonc kept their attention with different voices for various characters, and grimaces and grins. He even used a falsetto voice as a jazz singer in reading a book "Jazz Baby."

Kinnamonc also kept his young audience happy with juggling acts and then went on to read in another room.

"We're very blessed to be at Ophir, where people are so giving," she said.

Staff writer Barbara Arrigoni can be reached at 533-3136, barrigoni@orovillemr.com, or on Twitter @OMRBarbara.